When you think of barriers to accessing an abortion, what comes to mind? Mandatory waiting periods? Parental consent laws? Donald Trump and Mike Pence? These are all obvious and dangerous obstacles to getting an abortion, but they don’t touch upon the practical support hurdles that stand in the way of some people getting the care they need – like transportation and lodging, childcare accommodations, and emotional support.
At our All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center, we’re building a practical support network so that people across Indiana can access the care they need with less worry. With only six abortion clinics left in the state, three of which are clustered in the center, Hoosiers are forced to travel long distances, often alone, and in need of help when it comes to offsetting the cost of care and lost wages. Hoosiers don’t need any more barriers to abortion care and we’re here to see that they don’t!
Our network of trained volunteers will provide rides for people to their appointments, sit with them in the waiting room if they desire support, help arrange for lodging and childcare, and provide material support, like gas cards, post-abortion care packages, and other supplies. We know that different communities have different needs when it comes to accessing abortion care and we aim to tailor the kinds of practical support we offer to those we serve. Trainings for practical support network volunteers will be taking place in Bloomington and South Bend in August and a September date for Indianapolis. To register for a training, submit a volunteer application here.